How fast will sudafed work

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Sudafed helps relieve nasal and sinus congestion and pressure due to the common cold , hay fever , or upper respiratory allergies. The main active ingredient in Sudafed is called pseudoephedrine PSE. PSE relieves congestion by making the blood vessels in your nasal passages narrower. This opens up your nasal passages and allows your sinuses to drain.

As a result, your nasal passages are clearer and you breathe more easily. Most forms of Sudafed only contain pseudoephedrine. Any additional side effects, interactions, or warnings caused by naproxen sodium are not covered in this article.

Instead, they contain a different active ingredient called phenylephrine. All forms of Sudafed are taken by mouth. Below are dosage instructions for the different kinds of Sudafed. Like most drugs, Sudafed may cause side effects. Some of these side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medication. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works.

This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Also, before taking Sudafed, be sure to tell your doctor if you take any of the following medications:.

Each caplet contains 30 mg of pseudoephedrine HCl, a nasal decongestant. Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI certain drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease , or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

How to take it You can take pseudoephedrine tablets and liquid with or without food. What if I forget to take it? If you forget to take a dose, take the next dose when you need it.

Always leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. What if I take too much?

Urgent advice: Call for advice now if:. Go to A serious allergic reaction is an emergency. These are not all the side effects of pseudoephedrine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. What to do about: feeling or being sick — try taking pseudoephedrine with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food. If you have been sick, drink plenty of water by having frequent sips to avoid dehydration.

Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask a pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. If your headache does not go away, stop taking pseudoephedrine or see your doctor. It may be because pseudoephedrine can increase your blood pressure. Ask a pharmacist about trying a different medicine. Try not to watch television or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Try to relax for an hour before bedtime.

Pseudoephedrine and breastfeeding Pseudoephedrine is not recommended to take while you're breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you're:. Check with a pharmacist or doctor if you're taking: antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs digoxin, a medicine for heart failure tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine for migraine Pseudoephedrine is sometimes mixed with painkillers, such as cough and cold remedies.

Ask a pharmacist if you're not sure. Mixing pseudoephedrine with herbal remedies and supplements There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with pseudoephedrine.

Important Tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. If you have taken an MAOI monoamine oxid Why would I take cough syrup with an expectorant and a suppressant? Jill A. Grimes, MD. Ever wonder why some cough syrups have an expectorant guaifenisen and a cough suppressant?